Marija Naumova

Marija Naumova studied at University of Latvia. The recorded working language is Russian, Latvian and English. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are pop and jazz. Positions recorded include UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Distinctions recorded are First prize of the Eurovision Song Contest.

• Name — Marie N • Birth Name — Marija Naumova • Alias — Marie N • Born — 23 June 1973 • Birthplace — Riga, then part of Latvian SSR, Soviet Union • Origin — Riga, Latvia • Genre — pop, jazz • Occupation — singer, songwriter • Years Active — 1995–present • Website — www.marijanaumova.lv

Naumova was discovered by famous Latvian musician Raimonds Pauls in 1994 and after a year she performed on TV in searches for talent. She never won, but was noticed by the audience. In 1998, she performed in a concert celebrating the 100 years jubilee of George Gershwin. In March 1998 she performed on stage in concerts with famous Latvian musicians, and one of those concerts was recorded on CD. That gave her career a boost and she began to participate in several music events, television and radio shows, and give interviews for Latvian newspapers. Naumova's first solo album, which was completely in Russian, was released in 1999. In 2000 Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time. Naumova was in the national finals but came second behind Brainstorm. In 2001, she again participated in the Latvian preselection, singing "Hey Boy Follow Me", which was voted public favourite but was not chosen by the expert jury. Naumova had to wait another year before she was finally chosen to represent Latvia with "I Wanna", for which she also wrote the music and co-wrote the lyrics. In the Eurovision Song Contest 2002, her performance of "I Wanna" won the competition and gave Latvia its first (and only) ever Eurovision win. According to author and historian John Kennedy O'Connor in his book The Eurovision Song Contest – The Official History, despite its success at the contest, "I Wanna" gained the dubious distinction of being the first Eurovision winner that was not released outside of its own territory. Even in Latvia, the single never reached the top 30. In November of her victory year she recorded two new solo albums: one in English, and one in Latvian. She presented the albums to the audience with a tour throughout Latvia. Naumova co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 along with Renars Kaupers of the Latvian band Brainstorm, who came 3rd in the contest in 2000. In 2004, Naumova successfully combined her singing and acting talents in the lead role of The Sound of Music.

• 1998: До светлых слёз • 2000: Ieskaties acīs • 2001: Ma Voix, Ma Voie (LV:Gold certification) • 2002: On A Journey • 2002: Noslēpumi • 2004: Nesauciet sev līdzi • 2005: Another Dream • 2010: Lullabies • 2016: Uz Ilūziju Tilta

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2003 — Eurovision Song Contest — Presenter — alongside Renars Kaupers